Hope and Inequity: The Two Faces of Hepatitis Treatment

YANGON, Myanmar — For many people living with chronic hepatitis C in Myanmar, that message is becoming a reality. Not only hepatitis C treatment has now become increasingly accessible, but also it can be cured for most people in just 12-24 weeks. However, for those living with chronic hepatitis B, the path to treatment remains far more difficult.

One mother recalls the moment her life changed.

She was diagnosed with hepatitis B in 2018 during a blood test while pregnant. At the time, treatment was out of reach.

“We could not afford it, and I was living in a village far from the city,” she said. “I did not know where to seek help.”

Without nearby services and with limited financial means, she delayed care for years. It was only recently, after being referred to by a health worker, that she reached a clinic offering free treatment.

“I was terrified when I first learned I had hepatitis B,” she said. “My only concern was my children.”

She feared passing the virus to them, but fortunately, they were not infected. Now in her second month of treatment, she feels a renewed sense of hope.

“I am happy now. I am getting treatment, and my children are safe,” she said, urging other pregnant women to get tested and seek care early.

While her story reflects progress, it also highlights the barriers many hepatitis B patients continue to face.

At the local clinic, Dr Yi explains the stark differences between hepatitis B and C.

“Hepatitis B is more complex,” the healthcare provider said. “It is more expensive and requires longer-term treatment.”

Unlike hepatitis C, which can often be cured within three months, hepatitis B requires ongoing monitoring and care. This complexity has also affected service availability.

“There are more organizations supporting hepatitis C treatment,” the provider noted. “For hepatitis B, services are limited.”

Cost remains one of the biggest challenges. Patients often need multiple tests, including viral load testing and liver assessments, which can be expensive.

“Some cannot afford the initial tests, and others struggle with the cost of monthly medication,” the provider said.

Distance and access further complicate care. Many patients travel from remote areas, facing high transportation costs and, in some cases, movement restrictions.

“Even when we provide support, not all patients can come,” the provider added.

Stigma is another barrier. Some patients avoid seeking care for fear of discrimination or being judged by their peers, partners, families and communities.

Despite these challenges, success stories in Myanmar show what is possible.

Among the many people with chronic hepatitis C who completed a three-month course of treatment and got cured, one woman from Myanmar recalls her experience on World Hepatitis Day.

“I followed the doctor’s instructions because I wanted to get rid of the virus,” she said. “Now I am very happy because I know I will no longer transmit it to others, especially my children.”

Their message is simple: early testing and treatment can save lives across generations.

Across these experiences, one reality is clear. While hepatitis C treatment has advanced significantly in Myanmar, for those with chronic hepatitis B, they continue to face significant financial, geographic, and systemic barriers.

Addressing these gaps requires stronger investment and expanded services.

“We need more support to provide hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment without barriers,” Dr Khin, a public health expert working in hepatitis for many years in Myanmar, said. “Decentralizing services and training more health workers would help us reach more patients.”

On World Hepatitis Day, these real-world human stories from Myanmar highlight both progress and the long road ahead in response to viral hepatitis.

WHO continues to support the scale-up of the hepatitis response in Myanmar by working closely with local stakeholders to strengthen evidence-informed prevention, testing, treatment, and care services. Provision of treatment for people living with chronic hepatitis B needs urgent attention as hepatitis B and C are significant contributors to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma – all preventable with the diagnostic and therapeutic commodities currently available. Eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B is also a priority by leveraging the existing focus on dual EMTCT of HIV and Syphilis towards triple EMTCT, by integrating hepatitis B into this fold.  

Ensuring access to timely and affordable care, for hepatitis B and C, will be critical to protecting families, reducing transmission, and moving closer to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat in Myanmar and elsewhere. 

*This story was originally published on the WHO website.